Visiting the Roman Baths with toddlers
On the face of it, visiting the Roman Baths with toddlers is probably a bad idea. This top attraction in the UNESCO city of Bath in England doesn’t have a children’s play area, the cafe isn’t the type of place you’d expect to find a Fruit Shoot and it’s one huge water hazard. So, why did we visit the Roman Baths during our recent weekend in Bath?
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Basically, it was because I wanted to go. Yes, a rare day out for the benefit of mummy! I love history and despite a previous fail visiting a UNESCO world heritage site with young children, I thought we should give it another whirl. As a bit of a spoiler, I’m so glad we did.
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About the Roman Baths at Bath
The Baths were built by the Romans some time between AD 61 and AD 75 following the suppression of the Boudican Revolt. The Baths harnessing the UK’s only thermal spring and cementing the settlement’s place as a historic spa town. The buildings were expanded and used for three centuries before they fell into disuse.
Excavations on the site began 300 years ago with many fascinating ancient artefacts being uncovered. The buildings, including a temple to the Goddess Sulis Minerva, now make up the best preserved ancient Roman bath complex in Northern Europe.
Visiting the Roman Baths with toddlers
We visited on a Friday afternoon in term time. There were no queues at the entrance but the Baths were still busy with coach parties of tourists and people wandering in off the street like us. Audio guides are included in the price of your entry and you pick these up in the entrance hall once you’ve paid for your tickets.
Top tip: if your children are old enough to hold an audio guide get one for them as well. For every piece of audio intended for grown up ears there’s another that has been recorded with children in mind. Ancient characters tell them about the spring, the temple and the Baths. Even if your children won’t listen to all the stories they will still want to hold the guide and pretend it’s a phone or camera.
Mr Tin Box and I made the mistake of only taking two guides and missed out on the commentary ourselves while the girls hogged them.
You start by wandering out on to the terrace above the steaming green waters of Great Bath. The liquid is this colour because of the algae growing in it.
In Roman times there would have been a roof protecting the warm waters from the sunlight which encourages the sludge to grow. This honestly doesn’t detract from the scene though – if anything it makes it even more intriguing for little ones.
Dotted around the terrace are roman sculptures, or soldiers as Tin Box Tot called them. The audio guide tells you more about them, but by this point we’d lost those to the girls.
Were sent the girls’ snuggly Regatta Kids fleece hoodies by Hawkshead and I think they’ll be coming everywhere with us until the weather warms up!
The Roman Bath Museum
Before you reach the level of the Great Bath itself you walk through the museum. This is packed with wonderful exhibits of ancient coins that were thrown into the water centuries ago for good luck, as well as video walls showing you the cast of characters who would have visited the baths.
You are also given an insight into the world of the Goddess Sulis Minerva who was associated with the spring. She was originally worshipped by the native Britons but was adopted by the Romans. The head of a statue of the Goddess was discovered during works near the Baths in the 1700s and is now on show here.
We skipped through much of the museum as our girls were already getting restless but were able to entertain them for a short while at an exhibit demonstrating how the massive blocks of Bath stone used to build the complex were moved around.
Throughout the museum you also get glimpses of the spring water as it works its way towards the Great Bath. Amazingly 1,106,400 litres of water rise from the ground here every day at a temperature of 46°C.
The Great Bath
As we entered the Great Bath I have to admit that I clung onto our girls a little tighter. And it was a good job too.
As soon as Tin Box Baby got close to the water she was raising her little foot to step in. This, and the worn and uneven floor, put me a little on edge for the 15 minutes we stayed in this part of the Baths. But what a place? It was stunning!
In a recess on one side there was a costumed character talking about Roman life in Bath and showing visitors tools and games used centuries ago. Some of the older children there at the same time as us were lapping up the historical details as they were brought to life.
From the Great Bath we walked through the West Baths.
Here we could see pillars designed to support underfloor heating and a cold water plunge pool that the Romans would have used after a visit to a sauna-like room. Our last act of our visit was to take a sip of the spring water which is drawn up through a borehole sunk below the King’s Bath.
Mr Tin Box, the Tot and I all decided the mineral infused water wasn’t actually that pleasant. However Tin Box Baby went back for more!
Is it possible to visit the Roman Baths with toddlers?
Yes! I loved it and while its primary audience is not families with pre-schoolers we still had a great experience.
As with all days out and travel with kids you have to manage your expectations. You’re not going to read all the information and they will dash past historically significant artefacts, but that’s why I always buy the guidebook for reading later.
Toddler temperaments aside, the Baths do offer facilities for families like us, so we were certainly welcome.
Family facilities at the Roman Baths
There are lots of facilities for families at The Roman Baths, although you have to remember that this is an ancient site so they might not on par with modern attractions. I had to do quite a bit of wriggling to get into the small toilet cubicles by the entrance with Tin Box Tot, while Mr Tin Box had to enter the ladies toilets with Baby to find the baby changing area.
On the plus side, there’s a safe place to leave your pushchair in the entrance hall and baby carriers are supplied so make it easier to walk up and down the many steps in the Bath complex. The children’s audioguides are a great idea for kids over the age of five and there were plenty of exhibits they can touch – many more than I expected.
Have you been to the Roman Baths? And would you visit with young children?
More things to do in and around Bath
In Bath we can recommend a visit to the American Museum & Gardens and more family-friendly attractions. Within an hours drive you have a host of world famous attractions to explore in South West England including Stonehenge, Longleat Safari Park and Cheddar Gorge.
We can also recommend hopping on the train to Bristol to see SS Great Britain, or driving to Haynes International Motor Museum. Of course the Somerset coast isn’t far away either.
Disclosure: we were given a press pass to visit The Roman Baths courtesy of Visit Bath. All views are my own and those of my family. We were sent the Regatta fleece hoodies by Hawkshead in exchange for a feature on the blog.
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Loved this post and that priceless photo of your kids with the audio tour of the Roman Baths! I linked your post to one of my most recent ones, “Immerse yourself in history (but not the water) at the Roman Baths in Bath, England.” We had a great time there reading and taking pictures, and we’re impressed that you could keep your kids so interested! Pretty neat! Best wishes for always great travels with your family! Rusha Sams of Oh, the Places We See.
I forgot to include the link to my post on the Roman Baths: https://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2017/04/27/immerse-yourself-in-history-but-not-the-water-at-roman-baths-of-bath-england/ Hope you enjoy!
Rusha Sams recently posted…Take me to the Cotswolds: WPC — Wanderlust
Thanks for the link back! I’d have loved to have spent more time there – it’s so beautiful and brilliant for photos. Taking kids to a place like this is always a challenge but we couldn’t miss it!
Now I’m looking at the diary and trying to work out when we can fit in a visit to Bath #citytripping
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays recently posted…SHAKESPEARE STREET ART
Me too! We’d love to go back already 🙂
We are visiting Bath in May and I cannot wait! This just made me even more excited, looks like it was a fabulous time!
It’s lovely. I want to go back already!
Your little ones look like they had a fantastic time! Maybe you need to take them on more Mummy-outings, you might be surprised? Keep in mind that I have exactly zero kids so I know nothing! #CityTripping
LOL! All you need to know is what you enjoy and not to lose sight of that. Kiddie days out can be fun too but I want to bring them around to my way of travelling one day. It’s a matter of testing the water, or Roman Bath, a bit at a time 🙂
It looks so great Claire, do you know even when the boys were little I always avoided places with play areas. Call me grinchy but its my worse nightmare I would much rather a trip like this and they have always loved it, kids are so curious aren’t they? x
Sarah Christie recently posted…Monday Escapes 27/03/2017
We did quite a bit of both Sarah. I enjoy a bit of light relief but if I don’t get some culture every now and again I go stir crazy. That’s why I love National Trust properties and trips to the countryside. Everyone’s a winner!
It really is one of those places that blows your mind isn’t it? I haven’t been with my children. Must rectify that! 🙂 #mondayescapes
Emma Raphael recently posted…Sunday Photo – Quiet Cambridge Streets
It really does. Just thinking about all the people who have walked those ancient halls is amazing!
It’s good to know that it is possible to visit here with toddlers, thanks #citytripping
Definitely possible and enjoyable!
My family has to put up with visiting things that I want to visit a lot. You can’t tailor to kids all the time and it seems like they always find a way to entertain themselves. 😉 That being said, the Roman Baths seem very interesting and I would love to visit some day. #citytripping
Allison recently posted…A Trip to Mitchell Park Domes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
They were fascinating and there’s definitely a lot of capture young children’s imagination, even if it is just speculating about whether it’s a dragon making the water bubble 🙂
I am such a massive fan of Bath. I think history at any age is essential. You can’t fail to enjoy a visit to the baths themselves. Good to hear you all enjoyed your visit. I love your photos, especially where they are both listening to the audio #mondayescapes
Suzy McCullough recently posted…Fantasy Island – A fun family day out
Thats’a cute shot, right?! They are little posers when they want to be 🙂
I am glad you were able to enjoy your visit! When I read the title of your post, I thought about the girls wanting to “try” the baths. Not sure why kids are so on love with water (except when it comes out of the shower). Here, even in winter, you see kids jumping into fountains. #MondayEscapes
Ruth recently posted…The Most Romantic Place in Budapest: Vajdahunyad Castle
They are just drawn to anything wet I think. Except when it comes to washing 🙂
Ha, good things to keep in mind when travelling to UNESCO sites with toddlers. Also, good to know that they have Audioguides with kids in mind specifically. I haven’t seen that before. I went to Bath when I was 13, so I think my mom had an easier time. 🙂 #mondayescapes
What I hard of the audio guides was really good and I think in a couple of years we wouldn’t be able to tear them away from our girls…for the right reasons 🙂
Yes, we must go back. We went on a Saturday. I think the key is going off season! Great to re-read for #citytripping
Very good tip about the audio guides. I know mine would love to hold them and pretend they were phones! I didn’t make it to the baths when I visited Bath (there was a massive queue) so I really must go back at some point. I love hearing about its ancient history. #mondatescapss
We got lucky visiting on a Friday before the main tourist season. I think the last time Mr TB and I were in Bath it was packed. That was August. You must try to get back if you can. It was fab!
I’ve only visited the Roman Baths once, I was in my first years of primary school, so not much older than your daughter and I still remember it looking just like your photos. It is so impressive at any age. Glad you had a good trip. #mondayescapes
It was stunning. I loved all the ancient statues and the uneven floor. It oozed history!
I think your tip about letting children have audio handsets is spot-on. Like you, we’ve often missed out on interesting commentary because the children have wanted to hold ours! I’ve never been to the Baths, but now I really want to go. #MondayEscapes
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…An island holiday on the western Cyclades, Greece
It’s great Nell. Definitely do it if you get the chance.
Cuteeeeeee!! We are moving abroad this year and Bath has been on my bucket list for some time! Hoping to head there over Easter – Any hotels you would recommend?! Your pictures of the Roman Baths look fantastic too!
Katie recently posted…THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO BESIDES THEME PARKS
We stayed at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat which is outside the city centre but really accessible to the city. I’ve done a review if you search my blog for ‘Bath Mill’. Otherwise there are lots of city centre hotels to choose from but I’m afraid i haven’t stayed in any.
They go to a lot of effort to be family friendly at the Roman Baths. The kids audio guide and the actors are popular with my children. Bravo to you for doing something that you wanted to do even if the kids weren’t quite the optimum age, the risk paid off! We’d all spend all our days in soft play hell if we never did that! #MondayEscapes
Jo recently posted…AIRHOP, BRISTOL, WORLD’S BIGGEST TRAMPOLINE PARK
Oh my yes! I can do that every once in a while but it’s not my favourite thing 🙂
I’ve visited it too:) it’s fascinating:) #mondayescapes
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…My English memories: Norwich
We loved it!
I’d love to visit the Roman Baths as I love a bit of history too. I don’t know why, but I thought you could go for a dip in the Baths too – I’d have probably turned up with my swimming gear! #mondayescapes
Sadly no. I don’t think you’ve been able to swim there for a long time…it was probably mentioned in the audio guide ;). One thing I do know is that the Great Bath is lead lined to stop the ground water seeping in. I’m not sure I’d want to have a dip even if it was allowed!
Great post Claire – very detailed. We went to the Roman Baths in Feb Half-term, and usually Kitty would run from thing to thing and not take anything in….but now aged 6 years old, she was fascinated and really paid attention to what the guide was telling us. I was so pleased. Bath is great spot for a staycation… so much history. #mondayescapes
Yes! We’re desperate to go back and explore the city more another time. The Bath Half marathon was on during our weekend break so we missed out on seeing a lot.
I have vague memories of visiting here as a child! Would love to go back now, luckily my children are older, but I’m sure the temptation to step in is huge! We will have to look into a visit when we visit my brother who has moved to Wiltshire. Sarah #MondayEscapes
Sarah Stockley recently posted…A day of bushcraft with Camp Wilderness
Definitely try to get there if you can!
I know it isn’t possible to do it all the time – but I think doing something because you really want to is really important sometimes – and what a beautiful place to visit! Great tip about the audio guides too – I’m sure they’d keep my two amused for a good while.
Hopefully, mostly, because of their intended purpose 🙂
Oh it looks like you had such a lovely time – perfect weather too! x
Donna recently posted…Protected from the Elements with Berghaus Coats
Yes, we got lucky with the weather. I think Spring has arrived 🙂
Love it! I would absolutely love to see Bath – I went there as a teenager but never saw the actual baths… I ended up playing football with some random guys at a park for the day and missed my chance 😀 they look stunning and i would definitely take my daughter too to see them.
Cute hoodies too 🙂
Wave to Mummy recently posted…How to help your kids keep safe online?
They are wonderful and there’s so much history to adsorb, even if the facts can wait until later 🙂
The baths sound really interesting, great to hear feedback from someone with young children. I reckon my 5 yr old would find it fascinating although my 3 yr old might want to dive in! It’s surprising how many historical places are actually fine for little kids, it’s just a matter of taking the plunge so to speak!
Yes, but not literally at the Baths. It’s frowned upon, lol! 🙂
Looks like a great place to explore and those fleece hoodies look so comfy and warm!
They were. With the weather starting to warm up we had to take them off during other parts of the weekend when the girls were running around more 🙂